Oklahoma class of 2013 recruiting review: Big 12's best class disappoints four years later

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Oklahoma running back Keith Ford (21) avoids a tackle by Louisiana Tech defensive back Le'Vander Liggins (13) as he carries for a touchdown in the first quarter of an NCAA college football game in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Aug. 30, 2014. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki) 08312014xSPORTS2

Despite signing just one five-star and six four-star prospects in 2013, Oklahoma touted the Big 12's best and the nation's No. 16 recruiting class, according to 247Sports.

Although multiple members of the 2013 class are now on NFL rosters, five of OU's top prospects didn't finish their college careers with the Sooners, either because of transfer or legal issues.

Let's take a look back at the class of 2013.

No. of signees: 23

Oklahoma signed 23 recruits in 2013, nine more than the Big 12's second-best class in Texas. The three best classes nationally, Alabama, Ohio State and Florida, signed 26, 29 and 28 recruits, respectively.

No. of players still with team: 4

Players who didn't redshirt in 2013 played their final season of eligibility in 2016. However, the Sooners saw four players transfer to other schools on their own accord, two dismissed, one leave the program to pursue a baseball career and one quit football altogether.

No. of players in NFL: 4

LB Jordan Evans was selected by Cincinnati in the 2017 NFL Draft while S Ahmad Thomas and DE Charles Walker were later picked up as undrafted free agents. After going undrafted in 2016, LB Dominique Alexander was signed by the Browns and made the 53-man roster, recording seven tackles during his rookie campaign.

Star of the class: LB Jordan Evans

Evans appeared in 45 games over four years with the Sooners, starting 36 of them and recording 286 total tackles. He was second on the team in tackles during his sophomore and junior seasons and led the team in 2016.

Surprise of the class: LB Dominique Alexander

A product of Booker T. Washington High School in Tulsa, Okla., Alexander was recruited as a WR at 6-1, 185 pounds. However, he was converted to LB and led the team in tackles as a sophomore and junior before heading to the NFL in 2016.

Disappointment of the class: RB Keith Ford

A five-star prospect, according to 247Sports, Ford struggled to solidify his spot in Oklahoma's deep RB corps before suffering an ankle injury during the 2014 season. He was suspended for spring practice in 2015 because of academic and team rules violations and later announced a transfer to Texas A&M.

Member of the class poised to break out in 2017: WR Jordan Smallwood

After injuries plagued him early in his college career, Smallwood has drawn rave reviews in practice from players and coaches alike. Although he's been overlooked in the Sooners' WR rotation the last two seasons, Smallwood could emerge as a replacement deep threat in the absence of Dede Westbrook in 2017.